Ministry of Science & Technology
APCCM expresses confidence in CSIR-CMERI Oxygen Enrichment Technology
A Webinar on ‘Oxygen Enrichment Technology- developed by CSIR-CMERI’ was organised by Academy of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine , Kerala in association with CSIR-CMERI on 19th June 2021. Prof. Harish Hirani, Director, CMERI, was the Chief Speaker and shared his insights on Oxygen Administering Technologies and the Future Strategy for increasing the medical oxygen supply.
Prof. Harish Hirani said that the Oxygen Enrichment Technology has two components i.e. the Oxygen Enrichment Unit and the Air Compressor Unit. The indigenously developed Oxygen enrichment unit  works on the principle of Pressure Swing Adsorption . This could increase availability of medical oxygen for patients who are on oxygen support and minimise oxygen losses. The technology has been transferred to thirteen industries across the country for commercialization & OEU from few of those companies has already been launched in the Indian market.
The currently available Medical Literature do not recommend Nasal Cannula for administering Oxygen to patients with airborne diseases, as during the exhaling process a significant volume of Viral Load is transmitted to nearby attendants. Face Masks have the drawback of having openings/perforations. Therefore, usage of either "nasal cannula with N95 mask" or "NIV mask/hood" was advised to deliver oxygen to patients having air-borne disease. CSIR-CMERI is working towards the development of Advanced Oxygen Administration Technology which will have a dedicated Exhaling Pathway with Anti-Viral/Bacterial Filter to minimize the cross transmission of virus/bacteria among patients and attendant. This will help in prevention of transmission in enclosed spaces such as Isolation Wards/ Quarantine Zones.
CSIR-CMERI Oxygen Enrichment Technology may be applied for 10-bedded facilities with a single-compressor. This will allow the setting-up of ‘oxygen-beds’ in Local Clinics, Small Dispensaries, Primary Healthcare Centres for boosting Access to Oxygen. Another, Advanced function of the OEU is also being worked upon which will have both Enrichment as well as Flow Rate controls. The CSIR-CMERI Oxygen Technology can also be integrated with BiPAPs. This variant can also function in tandem with the Hospital Oxygen as well as Cylinder based Oxygen Supply .
Dr.Rajagopal T.P, President, APCCM expressed concern over the acute shortage of Oxygen as faced by the country in the recent times in the second wave of the pandemic. He also mentioned that most of the post pandemic patients would be requiring Oxygen Therapy for their proper healing and Oxygen Concentrators would be the best option for them. Hence, everyone including the doctors are bothered about the availability of Oxygen now. However, considering the influx of substandard quality of Oxygen Concentrators in a large number from abroad and the drastic increase in the price of concentrators he hoped that the indigenously developed device by CSIR-CMERI would address the issues related to the availability of Oxygen in the country.
The Webinar was attended by Dr.Rajagopal TP, President, APCCM, Dr. S. P. Shahjahan, President Elect, APCCM, Dr. B. Jayaprakash, Secretary, APCCM and numerous Doctors and Healthcare Professionals.